Head of Human Resources at Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (German Agency for International Cooperation) is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries.

In Nigeria, GIZ's portfolio includes among others, a programme to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its regional integration goals. The programme aims to strengthen sector-specific capacities in the areas of Peace and Security, Customs and Trade as weir as Strategic Management and Organizational Development in the ECOWAS Commission.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Human Resources

Vacancy No: 009
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time
Organization: GIZ Nigeria, Country Office

Responsibilities
The Head of Human Resources is responsible for:

• Advises the Country Director on HR policies and procedures and assumes conceptual and coordination tasks on behalf of the Country Director
• Lead and manage the HR team to ensure efficient and effective delivery of HR services – change processes of the unit structure will be one part
• Ensure adherence to national laws and GIZ Process and Rules (P+R)
• Review compensation and benefit policies to establish competitive systems and ensures compliance with GIZ principles and market standards
• Continuously update employment manual and ensure standardization with HQ and national laws.
• Provide orientation and guidance to staff and managers on staff talk processes (performance management).
• Oversee evaluation and classification of job positions
• Manage HR audits processes, including planning, execution, reply to inquiries, mitigation of risks and implement recommendations to improve HR processes and controls.
• Maintain records and compile statistical reports concerning personnel related data such as hires, transfers, and performance appraisals …. etc
• Develop and manage different national, regional and international contracts with various  consultants, service providers, legal advisors etc
• Liaises with internal and external stakeholders on various HR topics

Tasks:
Strategic HR Leadership:

• Develop and implement strategic HR plan
• Provide strategic HR advice to the Country Director and senior management
• Lead the HR team to ensure efficient and effective operations
• Actively contributing to management team meetings
• Proactively exchanging with cluster coordinators
• Proactively ensuring business continuity
• Overseeing Knowledge Management (updating forms, formats, templates and regulations and communicate changes

HR Operations and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with GIZ Process and Rules (P+R) and national legislations
• Ensure proper data management and accurate records documentation, including data quality
• Set standard procedure to ensure completeness of digitalized and hardcopy personnel files
• Ad hoc risk and legal reporting to the country director
• Manage and follow payroll software customization
• Initiate annual tax and social audit
• Steering / overseeing the audit process including clearing of audit findings
• Monitoring P+R updates, impacts and necessary modifications
• Implementing and monitoring of data protection compliance
• Advising on project restructuring
• Handling legal HR related issues
• Regularly collaborate with legal advisors on various HR topics and ensure documentation of legal advisors’ attestation of various formats, guidelines and forms
• Initiating various consulting contracts related to HR aspects as deemed necessary
• Handling insurance and social security topics.

Leading and managing the HR team:

• Recruiting and onboarding
• Developing capacities of staff
• Ensuring team development in a good and professional atmosphere.
• Ensuring regular high quality team meetings and following up agreements
• Implementing jour fixe with HR colleagues

Visa Team Leadership and Management:

• Oversee and direct the Visa team, ensuring efficient and timely processing of all visa applications for international staff. This includes establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) for visa processing timelines.
• Maintain meticulous records of all work permit expiration dates, proactively notifying relevant staff and management of upcoming renewals to prevent lapses in legal status.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update comprehensive documentation, including manuals, internal knowledge base (e.g., Ida page), and policy documents, reflecting current standard operating procedures for visa processing.
• Continuously monitor and analyze immigration regulations and policy changes, proactively advising the Country Director on potential impacts and recommended actions.
• This includes conducting regular research and horizon scanning of relevant legal and regulatory updates.
• Collaborate effectively with external visa consultants to ensure seamless processing of visa applications.
• Manage escalated or complex cases with discretion and professionalism, acting as the primary point of contact for sensitive visa matters
• Develop and implement staff capacity building, including training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, to enhance the expertise and performance of the Visa team.

Recruitment and selection:

• Oversee the entire recruitment process, the end-to-end process. ▪ Lead and manage critical positions recruitment.
• Implement effective talent management strategies, including staff talk (performance ▪ management), PPDP, and career development.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Manage compensation and benefits, ensuring competitiveness and compliance.
• Conduct annual market salary survey.
• Cooperate with other international organizations in Nigeria to assess labour market best practices on various benefit and remuneration topics.
• Oversee payroll processing, benefits administration and termination related payments and ensure compliance (salaries, taxes, social security, cost sharing, etc)

Employee Relations and Engagement:

• Coordinating with the NRPR (National and Regional Staff Representative)
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment
• Address employee concerns and resolve conflicts promptly
• Implement employee engagement initiatives on HR related topics

HR metrics (measure and report), data and contract management:

• Track key HR metrics, such as employee turnover, contract end dates …. etc. to ensure evidence-based decision making

Annual Staff talk processes (Performance management):

• Steer annual staff talk process
• Provide training to managers and staff on the annual staff talk process and yearly management theme.
• Analyze staff talk results for performance related remuneration decisions

Stakeholder Management:

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including line managers, employees, partner organizations/ministry offices and external vendors.
• Collaborate with GIZ HQ, HR Hubs and other country offices to share best practices and ensure consistency.

Training and development:

• Oversee training and development processes

Other duties/additional tasks:
The Head of Human Resources:

• Performs other duties and tasks at the request of management.

Required qualifications, Competences and Experience
Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Human Resources and similar fields.
• Member of a Human resource professional body (CIPM, CIPD, etc) is an asset.

Professional experience:

• A minimum of 10 years relevant highly professional experience with proved team leading ability.
• Experience in other international organisations.

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software (SAP, SAGE), and computer applications (e.g., MS Office,)
• Excellent knowledge of application of statutory and Labour Laws
• Experience in advising on HR issues
• Outstanding and proven intercultural experience and understanding
• High level of integrity and confidentiality in handling matters.
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management
• Ability to move tasks forward using sound judgment for the best solutions.
• A good team player who is willing to take on responsibility.

Application Closing Date
18th February, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivation as one document with complete contact details to: recruitment-nigeria@giz.de using "Vacancy no. 009" as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Please include vacancy no. 009 in mail subject
• GIZ is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity.
• All qualified candidates, regardless of disability, age, sex, ethnicity, race, and religion are encouraged to apply.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.